#3 Truth and Kisses Read Free Page A

thought about it like that. “I’m not sure,” I said honestly.
    Sophie laughed. “TBD,” she said.
    It was time to change the subject. “So what about you? Living in Paris must have been cool.”
    Sophie flashed a huge grin when I said that. “Paris is great. I didn’t want to move, but my dad got this big job.” She paused. “I hated leaving all my friends behind in Paris, but I like New York. I go to an art school, which is pretty cool. I want to be a painter.”
    It definitely sounded cool. “They don’t even have schools like that in Faraway.”
    Sophie nodded. “When I turn eighteen, I’m going to get a tiny butterfly tattoo right above my ankle bone.” She lifted the leg of her jeans and showed me where it would go. “I love butterflies,” said Sophie. “They represent lightness, beauty, and freedom.”
    I was overwhelmed just listening to her. I’ve never thought about what things like butterflies represent, and I certainly haven’t done any planning for what I’m going to do when I turn eighteen. I think Sophie mistook my silence as judgment, because she kind of shrugged and changed her tone and said, “I just think butterflies are very Zen, and I like that idea. Know what I mean?”
    I nodded like I got it, even though I wasn’t sure I did.
    When we finished eating, Sophie’s parents said they had to leave. “We’re flying back to New York tomorrow, but we should keep in touch,” she said.
    â€œI’d love that,” I told her as we put each other’s numbers into our phones. It was cool that she wanted to be friends. I was in a good mood the rest of the day at Gaga’s, and I was still happy as we were driving home. I even laughed when May and June, prompted by the reminder Gaga had given as we left her house, made their New Year’s resolutions.
    â€œMy New Year’s resolution is to eat chocolate every day,” said May.
    â€œMy New Year’s resolution is to eat chocolate every day too,” said June.
    I tickled her ribs and called her by her nickname, which came from one of her favorite books when she was little. “Silly Sally, you have to make your own resolution.”
    June thought for a minute. “My New Year’s resolution is to eat vanilla every day.”
    Everyone laughed, even June, who didn’t really get why we were laughing. Dad looked in the rearview mirror in my direction. “April, what’s your resolution?”
    I shook my head. “TBD,” I told Dad.
    I was still on a high when I got home, but that ended when I went to my room and called Brynn. “How was the getty?” I asked.
    Brynn paused for a beat too long before she answered. “It didn’t really work out.”
    â€œThat’s too bad.” I actually did feel bad for her since she’d been so excited about having people over when she called me earlier that morning.
    â€œNo big deal,” said Brynn. Then she made this weird sigh, like she was trying to decide exactly how to put what she said next. “It was hard to get people to come over at the last minute, so it was just Billy and me.”
    I didn’t respond. Brynn continued. “He’s still here, and we’re hanging out on my bed watching the end of a movie.” I heard laughter. “Can I call you when he leaves?”
    â€œSure,” I said like it was no big deal.
    But it was.
    7:22 p.m.
    Should I be annoyed that Billy and Brynn spent the day together, alone?
    Well … I am. I’m going to take a bath and try to get un-annoyed. It seems like a Zen way to handle things.
    8:49 p.m.
Least Zen bath ever
    I must be the only teen in America who has ever gotten in trouble while taking a bath.
    I was in the tub trying to relax, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Brynn and Billy. I think Brynn actually planned to spend the day alone with him. Maybe it